The council which fined dog owners for letting their pets off their leads in public parks has responded after outrage from the people targeted.

Bristol dog owners were left furious after council officers started issuing fines up of to £100 in the city’s parks using public space protection powers.

But Bristol City Council has now admitted that the policy has been incorrectly enforced in parks where dogs are allowed off their leads - and has apologised to the dog owners fined after the problem was reported by the Bristol Post.

A fixed penalty notice issued to a dog owner caught in Redland Green

A spokesperson for the city council said: “We’ve been informed by our Neighbourhood Enforcement contractor that a very small number of fixed penalty notices have been issued incorrectly for dogs off leads in one of the exempt areas.

"We apologise for the inconvenience and upset this may have caused dog walkers. Any fines already paid will be refunded and those unpaid will be cancelled. Our contractors will continue to enforce the order in areas where dogs are not permitted to be off their leads.”

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"I have no problem with the council’s litter police issuing fines for dog-fouling or litter dropping, but to fine people for legitimately letting their dogs off the lead is just ridiculous. I can only assume that this is being done to generate income for the company and I will be asking that any fines issued are withdrawn.”

According to the council website, dog owners risk being served with a notice if they allow their dog to enter a banned area, allow them off the lead – even after being ordered to put them on a lead by an authorised officer – or fail to pick up their dog’s mess.

Jacquie was fined while walking her dogs in Cotham Gardens - a place she has visited with dogs since she was 11-years-old

If a dog owner breaches the order, they face being fined £100 – which is reduced to £60 if paid within 10 days.

If a fixed penalty notice is not paid within the specified time, the owner risks being taken to court – where fines of up to £1,000 can be imposed.